Our love of robots spanning the decades

March 20, 2013 |By JAKE ELLISON

This week the National Science Foundation announced it was funding research in what could be the next frontier in robotics -- printable robots! That got us to thinking about our species’ love of robots through the decades, from the time the idea first pop

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty

108of125

Technical director Nick Wirth demonstrates RoboDog at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London, 21 March 2001. RoboDog, the world's most powerful, most advanced and largest autonomous legged robot for sale to date, was launched today by its British developers, RoboScience. Wirth developed the robot, the size of an adult labrador dog and powerful enough to lift itself up carrying a small child on its back in just 7-months. The technology is intended to pave the way for the next generation of robotics capable of doing household chores. AFP PHOTO: Adrian DENNIS

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty

108of125

Technical director Nick Wirth demonstrates RoboDog at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London, 21 March 2001. RoboDog, the world's most powerful, most advanced and largest autonomous legged robot for sale to date, was launched today by its British developers, RoboScience. Wirth developed the robot, the size of an adult labrador dog and powerful enough to lift itself up carrying a small child on its back in just 7-months. The technology is intended to pave the way for the next generation of robotics capable of doing household chores. AFP PHOTO: Adrian DENNIS